Frequency and timing of coital orgasm in women desirous of becoming pregnant

Thirty-seven Vibrio cholerae and four non-cholera Vibrio isolates from Ukraine, including strains from the epidemic of 1994-5, were analysed by molecular methods. Results from PFGE and ribotyping indicated that all Ukrainian toxigenic V. cholerae were closely related to each other and to an isolate from a patient from Pakistan. A non-toxigenic river water strain obtained during the height of the epidemic was more distantly related to these V. cholerae strains, while the Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates and Vibrio alginolyticus isolate were not closely related to V. cholerae or each other. ERIC- and REP-PCR allowed the differentiation of strains identical by other methods. The results obtained confirm that the epidemic Ukrainian strains are most closely related to seventh pandemic strains from Asia and support a hypothesis that the Ukrainian epidemic of 1994-5 was caused by toxigenic environmental strains surviving since the time of the 1991 Ukrainian epidemic or before.     

Effect of pubococcygeal exercise on female sexuality: Comment on Chambless et al.

Comments on the article by D. L. Chambless et al (see record 1984-12685-001) concerning pubococcygeal exercise for women that raised several issues, including problems of paradigm research, cost and benefit treatment decisions, and difficulties relating to the research on female sexuality. The Chambless et al procedures are compared to an earlier study by G. Kline-Graber and B. Graber (1978). The Chambless et al findings are questioned on the basis of sample size, S appropriateness, measurement flaws, and insufficient treatment time and length. Confusion of diagnosis and treatment is discussed, and specific targets for replication are suggested. (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Pubococcygens, Kegel exercises, and female coital orgasm: Reply to Jayne.

Replies to C. E. Jayne's (see record 1985-23094-001) comments on the 1st author and colleagues' (see record 1984-12685-001) study on the effects of Kegel (pubococcygeal-strengthening) exercises on female coital orgasm. Additional data are presented, and several studies are reviewed that support the conclusions previously reported by the 1st author and colleagues. It is argued that considerable controlled research has failed to show that pubococcygeal condition is a significant factor in female coital orgasmic responsiveness and that there are no empirical grounds for prescribing Kegel exercises as a routine part of therapy for orgasmic dysfunction. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of estrogen supplementation on exercise thermoregulation in premenopausal women

This study examined the effects of 3 days of estrogen supplementation (ES) on thermoregulation during exercise in premenopausal (20-39 yr) adult women during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Subjects (11 control, 10 experimental) performed upright cycle ergometer exercise at 60% of maximal O2 consumption in a neutral environment (25 degreesC, 30% relative humidity) for 20 min. Subjects were given placebo (P) or beta-estradiol (2 mg/tablet, 3 tablets/day for 3 days). All experiments were conducted between 6:30 and 9:00 AM after ingestion of the last tablet. Heart rate, forearm blood flow (FBF), mean skin temperature, esophageal temperature (Tes), and forearm sweat rate were measured. Blood analysis for estrogen and progesterone reflected the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Maximal O2 consumption (37.1 +/- 6.2 in P vs. 38.4 +/- 6.3 ml. kg-1. min-1 in ES) and body weight-to-surface area ratio (35.58 +/- 2.85 in P vs. 37.3 +/- 2.7 in ES) were similar between groups. Synthesis of 70-kDa heat shock protein was not induced by 3 days of ES. Neither the threshold for sweating (36.97 +/- 0.15 in P vs. 36.90 +/- 0.22 degreesC in ES), the threshold for an increase in FBF (37.09 +/- 0. 22 in P vs. 37.17 +/- 0.26 degreesC in ES), the slope of sweat rate-Tes relationship (0.42 +/- 0.16 in P vs. 0.41 +/- 0.17 in ES), nor the FBF-Tes relationship (10.04 +/- 4.4 in P vs. 9.61 +/- 3.46 in ES) was affected (P > 0.05) by 3 days of ES. We conclude that 3 days of ES by young adult women in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle have no effect on heat transfer to the skin, heat dissipation by evaporative cooling, or leukocyte synthesis of 70-kDa heat shock protein.     

Effect of exercise and dietary restraint on energy intake of reduced-obese women

Self-selected food intake of 15 reduced-obese women living in a metabolic ward was studied for 14 consecutive days to determine the effect of exercise and other metabolic and behavioral variables on energy intake. A choice of prepared food items were offered at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a variety of additional food items were available continuously 24 h/day. Subjects performed either moderate intensity aerobic exercise (A-EX) (n = 8) expending 354 +/- 76 kcal/session or low intensity resistance weight training (R-EX)(n =7) expending 96 +/- kcal/session, 5 days/week. Mean energy intakes (kcal/day, +/- SEM) of the exercise groups were similar: 1867 +/- 275 for A-EX, 1889 +/- 294 for R-EX. Mean energy intakes of individuals ranged from 49 to 157% of the predetermined level required for weight maintenance. Resting metabolic rate per kg 0.75 and the Eating Inventory hunger score contributed significantly to the between subject variance in energy intake, whereas exercise energy expenditure did not. Regardless of exercise, eight women consistently restricted their energy intake (undereaters), and seven other consumed excess energy (overeaters). Overeaters were distinguished by higher Eating Inventory disinhibition (P = 0.023) and hunger (p = 0.004) scores. The overeaters' diet had a higher fat content 34 +/- 1% (p = 0.007). Also, overeaters took a larger percentage of their daily energy, than that of undereaters, 27 +/- 1 energy intake in the evening, 13 +/- 2%, compared to undereaters, 7 +/- 1% (p = 0.005). We conclude that the Eating Inventory is useful for identifying reduced-obese women at risk of overeating, and these individuals may benefit from dietary counseling aimed at reducing fat intake and evening snacking.     

A comparative study using orgasm consistency training in the treatment of women reporting hypoactive sexual desire

In an experimental study, a standard group intervention for treating women with hypoactive sexual desire was compared to a standard group intervention plus orgasm consistency training. Specificity of sexual change following treatment was assessed in 39 women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder who completed either treatment. Following treatment, women in both groups reported significantly positive sexual changes on two of the four measures of sexual behavior. Compared with the women receiving only standard treatment, the women who also received orgasm consistency training reported greater sexual arousal and sexual assertiveness at posttreatment and at three-month and six-month follow-up evaluations and greater sexual satisfaction at the six-month follow-up. Implications for these findings, study limitations, and future research directions are explored.     

Acute exercise: Buffering psychosocial stress responses in women.

48 25–40 yr old women participated in 2 counterbalanced experimental conditions: an attention control and a 40-min bout of aerobic exercise (AE) at 70% heart rate (HR) reserve. The attention control and AE treatments were followed by (1) 30 min of quiet rest, (2) exposure to mental and interpersonal threat, and (3) 5 min of recovery. Blood pressure (BP) and HR were monitored at baseline, during the stressors, and throughout recovery. Self-reported distress was assessed before each stressor and upon completion of the recovery period. Results provide clear evidence that exercise dampened BP reactivity to psychosocial stress. Compared with the attention placebo control, AE reduced both the frequency and intensity of anxiety-related thoughts that occur in anticipation of interpersonal threat and challenge. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prospective evaluation of the effects of stress on exercise adherence in community-residing women.

The effects of stress on exercise behavior in community-residing women exercising on their own were assessed. Participants (N?=?82) completed a background questionnaire and kept exercise diaries and Weekly Stress Inventories (P. J. Brantley, G. N. Jones, E. Boudreax, & S. L. Catz, 1997) for 8 consecutive weeks. During weeks with a high frequency of stressful events, participants exercised for less time and reported lower self-efficacy for meeting upcoming exercise goals. During weeks of high perceived stress, participants exercised significantly fewer days, omitted more planned exercise sessions, were less satisfied with their exercise, and had lower self-efficacy for meeting exercise goals. Findings suggest that perceptions of stressful events and cognitive reactions to missed exercise may play a significant role in mediating exercise behavior and support the view of exercise relapse as an ongoing process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Manipulating self-efficacy in the exercise environment in women: Influences on affective responses.

Self-efficacy was experimentally manipulated in an exercise context, and its effect on affective responses was examined. College women (N?=?46) were randomly assigned to a high- or low-efficacy condition, and efficacy expectations were manipulated by means of bogus feedback and graphs depicting contrived normative data. The manipulation successfully influenced affective responses, with participants in the high-efficacy group reporting more positive and less negative affect than did the low-efficacy group. Efficacy was significantly related to feeling-state responses during and after activity but only in the high-efficacy condition. The results suggest that self-efficacy can be manipulated and that these changes are related to the affective experience associated with exercise. Such findings may have important implications for the roles played by self-efficacy and affect in exercise adherence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of coital lubricants on sperm motility in vitro

Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples, and in about one-third the primary cause is a male factor. Patients undergoing infertility investigations frequently experience sexual dysfunction, which often is due to inadequate vaginal lubrication. This can lead to increased use of coital lubricants. The effects of such lubricants on sperm motility have not been widely studied, although sperm motility is one of the best prognostic indicators of fertilization. Using a prospective longitudinal control-based study, we analysed the effect of adding four lubricants: KY jelly, baby oil, olive oil and saliva on sperm motion in 16 samples from patients undergoing infertility investigations. Sperm samples were prepared by density gradient centrifugation prior to mixing with lubricants. Motility parameters were determined using computer-assisted semen analysis after 5, 15 and 30 min. All lubricants except baby oil significantly decreased percentage progressive motility, progressive velocity, curvilinear velocity and lateral head displacement at 12.5% concentration. At a lower concentration of 6.25%, both olive oil and saliva still significantly reduced progressive motility parameters, while KY jelly diminished head movement parameters. Hence, even at these very low concentrations, coital lubricants impair sperm motility and thus may adversely affect fertility.     

Value of exercise treadmill testing in women

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the ability of a treadmill score to provide accurate diagnostic and prognostic risk estimates in women. BACKGROUND: Treadmill testing has been reported to have a lower accuracy for diagnosis of chest pain in women. The diagnostic and prognostic value of the Duke Treadmill Score (DTS) in women is unknown. METHODS: We determined the diagnostic and prognostic value of the DTS in 976 women and 2,249 men who underwent both treadmill testing and cardiac catheterization in a single institution from 1984 to 1994. RESULTS: Women and men differed significantly in DTS (1.6 vs. -0.3, p < 0.0001), disease prevalence (32% vs. 72% significant coronary artery disease [CAD], p < 0.001), and 2-year mortality (1.9% vs. 4.9%, p < 0.0001). The DTS provided information beyond clinical predictors of both coronary disease and survival in women and men. Although overall women had better survival, the DTS performed equally well in stratifying both genders into prognostic categories. The DTS actually performed better in women than in men for excluding disease, with fewer low risk women having any significant coronary disease (> or = 1 vessel with > or =75% stenosis) (20% vs. 47%, p < 0.001), or severe disease (3-vessel disease or > or =75% left main stenosis) (3.5% vs. 11.4%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: By combining several aspects of treadmill testing, the DTS effectively stratifies women into diagnostic and prognostic risk categories.     

Effects of coital stimulation upon behavior of the female rat.

Tested the importance of vagino-cervical stimulation during coitus in 2 experiments, using 16 intact and 48 ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley female rats, in which intromission was prevented by a vaginal mask. The behavior of Ss was compared to that of unmasked females. Behavioral indices included lordosis quotient, a measure of sexual responsiveness, and rejection quotient, a measure of social response toward the males. The rating of lordosis intensity on a 3-point scale provided a mean lordosis intensity. Exp. I investigated long-term effects of coital stimulation by repeated testing of Ss in natural and hormone-induced heat. Coital stimulation generally decreased the probability of subsequent lordosis and increased display of rejection. Exp. II studied the short-term effects of coital stimulation using single 50-mount tests. Coital stimulation decreased intensity as well as probability of subsequent lordosis. (23 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Smaller lungs in women affect exercise hyperpnea

We subjected 29 healthy young women (age: 27 +/- 1 yr) with a wide range of fitness levels [maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max): 57 +/- 6 ml . kg-1 . min-1; 35-70 ml . kg-1 . min-1] to a progressive treadmill running test. Our subjects had significantly smaller lung volumes and lower maximal expiratory flow rates, irrespective of fitness level, compared with predicted values for age- and height-matched men. The higher maximal workload in highly fit (VO2 max > 57 ml . kg-1 . min-1, n = 14) vs. less-fit (VO2 max < 56 ml . kg-1 . min-1, n = 15) women caused a higher maximal ventilation (VE) with increased tidal volume (VT) and breathing frequency (fb) at comparable maximal VT/vital capacity (VC). More expiratory flow limitation (EFL; 22 +/- 4% of VT) was also observed during heavy exercise in highly fit vs. less-fit women, causing higher end-expiratory and end-inspiratory lung volumes and greater usage of their maximum available ventilatory reserves. HeO2 (79% He-21% O2) vs. room air exercise trials were compared (with screens added to equalize external apparatus resistance). HeO2 increased maximal expiratory flow rates (20-38%) throughout the range of VC, which significantly reduced EFL during heavy exercise. When EFL was reduced with HeO2, VT, fb, and VE (+16 +/- 2 l/min) were significantly increased during maximal exercise. However, in the absence of EFL (during room air exercise), HeO2 had no effect on VE. We conclude that smaller lung volumes and maximal flow rates for women in general, and especially highly fit women, caused increased prevalence of EFL during heavy exercise, a relative hyperinflation, an increased reliance on fb, and a greater encroachment on the ventilatory "reserve." Consequently, VT and VE are mechanically constrained during maximal exercise in many fit women because the demand for high expiratory flow rates encroaches on the airways' maximum flow-volume envelope.     

Effects of chronic exercise and deconditioning on platelet function in women

To investigate the effects of chronic exercise and deconditioning on platelet function in women, 16 healthy sedentary women were divided into control and exercise groups. The exercise group cycled on an ergometer at 50% maximal oxygen consumption for 30 min/day, 5 days/wk, for two consecutive menstrual cycles and then were deconditioned for three menstrual cycles. During this period, platelet adhesiveness on a fibrinogen-coated surface, ADP-induced platelet aggregation and intracellular calcium concentration elevation, guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) content in platelets, and plasma nitric oxide metabolite levels were measured before and immediately after a progressive exercise test in the midfollicular phase. Our results indicated that, after exercise training, 1) resting heart rates and blood pressures were reduced, and exercise performance was improved; 2) resting platelet function was decreased, whereas plasma nitrite and nitrate levels and platelet cGMP contents were enhanced; and 3) the potentiation of platelet function by acute strenuous exercise was decreased, whereas the increases in plasma nitrite and nitrate levels and platelet cGMP contents were enhanced by acute exercise. Furthermore, deconditioning reversed these training effects. This implies that training-induced platelet functional changes in women in the midfollicular phase may be mediated by nitric oxide.     

Effects of prior exercise on exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia in young women

Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP) proteases have been proposed to be involved in changes of serum IGFBP pattern during pregnancy. IGFBP-4 and -5 are degraded specifically by proteases in pregnancy serum in vitro, whereas IGFBP-3 proteolytic activity was also detected in nonpregnancy serum. To identify and characterize IGFBP proteases, human pregnancy serum was fractionated by size exclusion chromatography revealing IGFBP-4 protease activities in fractions coeluting with proteins of approximately 600-kDa and 50- to 100-kDa molecular mass. In both fractions, a predominant 50-kDa gelatinase was found, suggesting that parts of the gelatinase activity might aggregate or are complexed with other proteins forming a higher molecular complex. Hydroxyapatite chromatography and chromatofocusing of the 50- to 100-kDa serum fraction showed that the IGFBP-4 protease and the 50-kDa gelatinase activity were copurified. When the 50-kDa gelatinase-containing band was excised from the polyacrylamide gel, it exhibited IGFBP-4 proteolytic activity, resulting in the formation of 17- and 10-kDa fragments. [125I] IGFBP substrate zymography combined with fragment blotting showed that the 1,10-phenanthroline-sensitive 50-kDa protease activity purified by chromatofocusing also cleaved IGFBP-3 and -5. Other proteases detected in pregnancy serum fractions with Mr estimates of 79-, 30-, and 22-kDa degraded IGFBP-3 and -5 but not IGFBP-4. [125I] IGFBP-5 substrate zymography revealed that the 30-kDa IGFBP protease was inhibited by serine protease inhibitors. Whereas 1,10-phenanthroline inhibited the IGFBP proteolytic activity in the solution assay, serine protease inhibitors failed to affect proteolysis, indicating the predominant contribution of the metalloproteinase to IGFBP proteolysis. Tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -2 revealed weak or no inhibition of IGFBP-4 and -5 proteolytic activity, whereas a hydroxamic acid-based inhibitor, potentially inhibiting disintegrin metalloproteases, completely prevented the proteolysis of IGFBPs. Whereas no specific immunoreactivity of the 50-kDa protein with antimatrix metalloproteinase-1, -2, -3, -9, or -13 antibodies was observed, antidisintegrin domain-specific antibodies bound to the 50-kDa gelatinase. These studies provide the first direct biochemical evidence that human pregnancy serum contains a 50-kDa IGFBP protease with properties of a soluble disintegrin metalloproteinase that appears to be potentially involved in regulating IGF bioavailability for placental and fetal growth.     

Predictors of adherence to a structured exercise program for older women.

This study examined whether psychological, physiological, and health and lifestyle measures were associated with adherence to a structured exercise program for older women. Women aged 60 to 85 years (N?=?102), randomly recruited from the community, were assessed on these measures before and after a 12-month exercise trial. Sixty-nine women completed the trial, and 54 continued participation after the trial for at least 6 months. Adherence was examined at various stages during the trial. Multiple regression analysis revealed that reduced muscle strength, slow reaction time, and psychoactive drug use explained most of the variance in adherence during the trial. In contrast, muscle strength, reasoning ability, depression, and self-reported improvement in strength best predicted continued participation after the trial. The findings have implications for community-based exercise programs and research trials. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Does exercise environment enhance the psychological benefits of exercise for women?

Two experiments examined the psychological benefits of exercise environment. In Experiment 1, 128 female college students were assigned to 1 of 3 laboratory conditions that differed only in with whom they were exercising; in Experiment 2, 88 students were assigned to 1 of 4 walking conditions that differed in the environment (i.e., indoors vs. outdoors) and whom they were with. Before and after exercise, participants completed several mood and enjoyment measures. Participants in Experiment 1 were most calm when exercising alone than with others, and participants in Experiment 2 found the experience most enjoyable if outdoors. Our findings suggest that perceived enjoyment and outdoor exercise may account for some of the psychological benefits of exercise for women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Expectancy-value constructs and expectancy violation as predictors of exercise adherence in previously sedentary women.

This prospective study examined effects of expectancy of exercise benefits, value of benefits, expectancy violation, and self-efficacy (SE) on exercise behavior and study dropout in sedentary women (n?=?86). SE predicted exercise for study completers but did not predict study dropout. After 6 and 12 weeks, participants evidenced expectancy violations, particularly for fitness and weight. Initial value, expectancy, and Expectancy?×? Value did not predict exercise for study completers, but dropouts had higher initial positive expectancies than did completers. Expectancy violations produced in Weeks 1–6 did not predict exercise in Weeks 7–12 in study completers, but dropouts in Weeks 7–12 had higher expectancy violations for weight in Weeks 1–6 than did completers. Follow-up revealed that study dropouts stopped exercising. Identifying individuals with high initial expectancies and expectancy violations may improve health behavior intervention and research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)